Know The Drill: Buying Tools For DIY Made Easy

Getting the right tools for the job is essential when taking on a DIY task. All tool companies will try to preach that their product is the best for you. Here are a few useful tips for first-time tool buyers to ensure you choose something reliable and don’t get ripped off.

Don’t be screwed over by second-hand tools

Buying second-hand can often land you a bargain, but you should be careful. If they’re of a certain age, they may be prone to wear and tear and parts could be harder to find. Older tools may also be less effective for feeling with modern materials. Buying from a second-hand store may be more trustworthy as you can take the item back if it’s faulty and get a refund. Doing this online may be harder, plus you may not be able to examine the tool’s condition thoroughly. Try to buy from regulated online second-hand sites such as Preloved and make sure they provide photos so that you can check for scratches and worn cables.

Cut down prices with promotions

Certain times throughout the year are fantastic for deals. These include the January sales, Father’s day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday (for electronic power tools). If you are working with wood, you may want to check out to see what the best contractor culture would be for you. You can also buy some tools out of season – gardening tools may be discounted in winter when fewer people require them.

Coupons can often help you to find a discounts and can be found in many DIY magazine or on specific coupon sites.

Use online reviews

To ensure you’re getting something reliable, read reviews by other buyers and tech professionals. There are many comparison guides on the web such as this impact wrench buying guide that can help to point you in the right direction. When buying on sites such as Amazon, always check user reviews below to ensure you’re buying from a reputable seller.

Buy tools with the same battery

This is largely for convenience’s sake. Buying wireless tools that use the same batteries or battery pack will allow you to interchange between tools. This will save you money on batteries. Staying reliable to a brand can be useful as you may also be able to use the same charger or easily interchange parts.

Rent expensive specialist machinery

Don’t waste your money buying a cement mixer or a band saw or another piece of specialist heavy machinery. You probably ever use these tools again. There are many companies that allow you to hire equipment for a certain period of time. If you rent from a trusted company, you’ll spend a fraction of the price vs buying. Generally speaking, you’ll get well-maintained new equipment.

Of course, there’s always the even cheaper option of borrowing tools off a friend. You may know someone with a toolbox gathering dust that would happily lend it to you for free. You won’t always get good quality tools this way, but if you’re on a budget it’s the best way to go.

This post is a collaboration and may contain affiliate links. All opinions are our own.